Prince Fielder sets Brewers RBIs record

Left-handed slugger passes Astros' skipper with 127th

Prince Fielder established a new single-season Brewers record for RBIs on Saturday night when he hit a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning against Houston for his 127th.

"It was about time," Fielder, who had gone five games without an RBI and had just one over his previous nine games, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "I've had so many opportunities the last week.

"That's my job on the team -- to drive in runs. I was getting frustrated. I finally came through."

Houston manager Cecil Cooper, who had held the club record since getting 126 RBIs in 1983, was on hand to see his record broken.

DiNardo not ready for 9-to-5 gig quiet yet: Lenny DiNardo didn't get on the Royals' Major League roster until it was expanded in September, but the 30-year-old pitcher nonetheless remains happy with his chosen career path.

"It's something that you either deal with it or you don't deal with it," DiNardo told MLB.com. "You go get a real job. And I think playing in Triple-A beats a lot of the 9-to-5 jobs that I would be working if I didn't play baseball. So I look at it like that."

DiNardo is scheduled to start for Kansas City on Monday against Boston.

Burke's brief vacation: Jamie Burke's season with the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers was over and he had already spent three days at home in Oregon with his wife and kids when the Nationals summoned him to New York to be the starting catcher in Sunday's game against the Mets.

"Oh, definitely it was a shock," Burke, acquired by Washington from Seattle in a midseason deal, told the Washington Post. "I'd never been traded, ever. It was amazing. My mind-set was pretty much day-by-day -- get some stuff done at home, spend time with the kids and wife, but, obviously, I'll take this any time."

Doumit glad to get opportunity in the outfield: Ryan Doumit took a turn in the outfield on Saturday, despite not having done so since 2007.

"I'm excited," Doumit told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "There are other catchers who do this. Russell Martin's done it. Jason Kendall used to do it here. I'm all for it. I'm excited for the opportunity to expand my horizons. It's an opportunity to run the ball down, but, mostly, it's a chance to show off my arm. I hope people try to run on me."

Kubel relishes chance to change lineup spot: Jason Kubel is happy to be playing in left field more often than as a designated hitter in recent games.

"I'm only 27; I'm not really the young one anymore, but that's way too young to be a DH," Kubel told the St. Paul Pioneer Press. "I don't want to be labeled as a DH quite yet. That's something I'm trying to work towards, getting my legs under me so I can play a whole year of the outfield."

Maine continues to see progress: In his second start since returning from the disabled list, John Maine held the Nationals hitless for four innings and threw five shutout innings in the Mets' 6-2 win on Sunday.

Combined with the first start of his return, in which he allowed one run in three innings against the Phillies, the Mets' right-hander believes he's making good progress toward a strong shoulder and a return to form in 2010.

"[The shoulder] felt better than it did a week ago," he told Newsday. "I still don't feel like I have 100-percent strength back there, but it doesn't hurt. ... It's like the beginning of Spring Training."

Pettitte plans to make his start: Andy Pettitte said he felt strong during his bullpen session on Friday and will make his start on Monday against the Angels. Pettitte said his left shoulder was a little "achy" after his last start, forcing the team to scratch him from last Wednesday's scheduled start.

"I told Dave, 'We'll see when I get around the fourth or fifth inning how it feels on Monday,' " Pettitte, referring to pitching coach Dave Eiland, told Newsday. "Hopefully, it's behind me."

Pettitte is 13-6 and has not lost since July 25.

Wagner forced to take it slowly: The Red Sox won't pitch Billy Wagner on consecutive days to help ensure the veteran reliever's healthy return from Tommy John surgery. Wagner thinks he's ready to pitch back-to-back days.

Ryan capitalizes on aggressive play: Brendan Ryan, always been known for his hustle and aggressive play, has learned this season to be more selectively aggressive.

"That is something that I had to learn the hard way in the Minors," the Cardinals shortstop told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "It means one thing to be aggressive, and it means something else to be aggressive-smart. I've always played aggressive, but that's cost me, and it's cost the team at times. All of those reps and all of those chances in the Minors and learning at this level -- there are times to be aggressive."

Pinch-hit homer lands Gload in record book: On Saturday night Ross Gload delivered a two-run, pinch-hit home run, helping the Marlins to a 3-2 win over the Reds. The pinch-hit was the 19th of the season for Gload, which tied the franchise record set by Lenny Harris in 2005. Gload established a new team record with his 15th pinch-hit RBI.

"Just looking for a strike," Gload, who downplayed his spot in the Marlins record book, told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. "I never grew up wanting to be a really good pinch-hitter, so I don't follow those tying of pinch-hitting records."

Jepsen sees complete turnaround to season: In 30 games since July 1, Kevin Jepsen has a 1.72 ERA as a reliever for the Angels.

"It's been a tale of two seasons for Kevin," manager Mike Scioscia told the Los Angeles Times. "His stats from April and [June], you have to crumple them up and throw them out. From July 1 on, that's the Kevin Jepsen we anticipated."

"Anyone who throws 96 mph with a power hook and a good slider will match up against anyone," Jepsen's manager added.

DeRosa keeps door open for return to Cubs: Mark DeRosa was dealt from the Cubs in the offseason in a rather unceremonious way, but the Cardinals infielder says that as he approaches free agency, he's not closed the door on playing anyplace next season -- including on the north side of Chicago.

"I would definitely listen," DeRosa told the Chicago Sun-Times. "Obviously, my allegiance lies here [in St. Louis], but once the season's over -- I have no ill feelings towards anybody over there. I enjoyed my time there. I didn't agree with the move, but I didn't have any control over it."

Johnson begins audition: Chris Johnson is expected to contend for a starting job next season with the Astros.

"I feel all right; I've just got to relax," the rookie third baseman told the Houston Chronicle of his approach at the plate. "That's one of the biggest things for me is just learning how to relax when I'm up there."

Gallardo hits 200-K mark as season ends: Yovani Gallardo threw five shutout innings against Houston on Sunday in his final outing of the season. The right-hander is being shut down because he's established new highs in innings pitched and pitches.

He improved to 12-12, and, with 204 strikeouts, became fourth Brewers pitcher to top 200 K's in a season.

"You always want to end the season on a good note," Gallardo told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "It was a good year. [Two hundred strikeouts] is important to me."

Vazquez getting run support: Javy Vazquez pitched seven scoreless innings and won for the ninth time in 11 decisions as the Braves downed the Phillies, 6-4, on Saturday night.